I was trudging out of our hotel in Rome at 5 in the morning to catch our taxi to the train station.... As I was lugging my massive suitcase already filled with treasures down four hundred year old steps I stumbled, twisted my ankle and rolled onto the cobblestone street just in time for our taxi driver to pull up and see my graceful fall.... I know what you're thinking… It does take quite a bit of skill to trip on four hundred year old steps.

I would like to think travel is always sunshine and roses in my family, but I don't think that will ever be possible with the way we travel at lightning speed. I felt and looked ridicules as I limped through Zurich and Paris on the second half of our trip, but I made it home alive! Needless to say, three months later I can finally run, and I can't say I didn't milk it just a bit with extra gellato trips. I also like to pride myself on the fact that I apparently looked and/or sounded very Italian (with the few phrases I know!) due to the fact that I constantly had locals trying to make conversation. What can I say, apparently my German roots have been replaced.

What I loved about the Rome- cobblestone streets(killer on the feet though), historic architecture draped with violets and moss, flower markets with buckets of roses and hydrangeas, street performers, the most incredible soft light, fountains, and breathtaking structures. I loved the time I spent on the coast with my dad the first several days of our trip and Capri is absolutely one of my favorite city's, but nothing quite feels like Rome. It seems so familiar and warm. I also love that my oldest sister Morgan joined us on our second day in the city(along with receiving requests for "English lessons" from two waters in one day), and two of my other siblings, Alex and Taylor got on board on our last morning in Rome… Just in time to catch our train to Switzerland.

Now, on to the lovelies...... Enjoy!

My favorite image from Rome- the city view from the top of the Spanish steps.